Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash
There are some situations that beg us to listen and to respond in affirmation.
These are
particularly the kinds of circumstances where people with us are vulnerable.
The
amazing thing about vulnerability, though — and this is power — is the
vulnerable moment is ripe for either the creation or destruction of confidence.
Because
hearts are open in vulnerability, hearts are in ‘record’ mode. Experiences are
taken within the fathoms of memory.
If we
treat the person with disdain, in their vulnerable moment, we can
observe their spirit fall into an abyss, before they recover. They may recover
in a moment or an hour or a day, but the gravity in the experience is recorded
in the same way trauma experiences are.
See the
destructive power in the abuse of others? Sadly, hardly anyone has not given or
received such abuse.
Now, here is the opportunity.
Here is what we can do to build
into lives by building others up.
into lives by building others up.
Especially in the vulnerable moment, when persons before us are in ‘record’
mode, when they’re ripe and ready to encode the experience they have with us, is the moment to listen, to affirm, to go
there way, to be gentle and kind. Especially in the vulnerable moment, we
care for the vulnerability of this soul when we listen and go gently with them.
As we do
this, God does something in our midst
— in us, between them and us, and even in them — to make of the moment something of Him.
Such
moments are the making of belief, because God is present and real in the
connection achieved. Overtures of compassion and kindness through gentleness
and respect are given and received. And particularly the person receiving
observes the goodness of God in the giver of encouragement and in the moment
itself.
We think
trauma experiences are powerfully negative, and they are!
But ever
more power is in the kindness of God
that empowers someone in that listening moment.
Think about the
times in your own life where you simply needed to be heard. Think about how
open you were. Remember how receptive you were to both help and harm (when someone
decided not to care). Recall where you were met and where you were missed. You
know how vulnerable you were.
No matter how tough
we are we have all had these moments.
It’s our privilege and pleasure to listen to those who are undergoing
trial, and we especially realise this when we’ve been on the receiving end of such
care.
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